Concert review: Jackson Browne at Mountain Park

HOLYOKE — Jackson Browne didn’t have a definitive plan for his concert at Mountain Park on Wednesday night. He was originally scheduled to play a solo acoustic show, but later added a band. He had written out a set list but admitted early on that he had strayed. In fact, Browne admitted that for the last few days he was convinced he was somewhere in New Hampshire.

Nonetheless, Browne worked up two hour performance that featured a small sampling of hits along with a much larger grouping of rambling narratives backed by his piano, acoustic guitar and a pairing of guitarist Val McCallum and drummer Fritz Lewak.

Over the course of the night Browne also utilized the considerable talent of opener Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek) and her band which included brother Sean.

Browne opened with “Black and White” and had to re-start “Looking Into You,” when the first attempt was in the wrong key. He offered up “Call It a Loan,” a song he wrote with David Lindley.

Staying with the more obscure side of his catalog, Browne worked up “The Naked Ride Home,” while resisting shouts from the crowd for a myriad of requests. He was intrigued by a shout for Warren Zevon, enough to bring out the Watkins clan to help him cover “Mohammed’s Radio.”

After “Fountain of Sorrow,” Browne struck a chord with the crowd on “The Pretender,” finally veering from the deep cuts to a song that had seen some chart time. He gave up the spotlight altogether to allow McCallum (with help from Watkins) an opportunity to perform his original song “Digging for Gold.”

Browne continued to banter with audience, laughing off one patron who wanted to dance as he sat there strumming his acoustic guitar.

“Some people want to hear the most dire of my songs,” he joked, before falling into “Giving That Heaven Away.” He argued “Live Nude Cabaret” featured a dancing girl, perhaps hoping that would quell the uprising of one.

Browne closed the set with the full band, Watkins included, with his seminal hit “Running on Empty.” He returned twice for encores which included “Take it Easy,” made famous by The Eagles, and his chart topping “Somebody’s Baby.”

Browne played the part of a gracious host throughout the evening, coming out on stage to introduce Watkins as the opening act, and suggesting her playing had been a recent influence on his own music. He also joined her for two songs during the half hour set.

The highlights, along with Browne’s guest appearances, were covers of the Everly Brothers “You’re the One I Love,” and Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow is A Long Time.”